Young people face many challenges in today’s fast-paced society. We are here to help. Below are some resources for youth who may be at risk or are in need of assistance with any of life’s challenges, i.e. job placement, addiction, housing, tutoring, leadership development and mental health counseling.
The Door serves nearly 11,000 young people from all over New York City. Their wide range of services include reproductive health care and education, mental health counseling and crisis assistance, legal assistance, GED and ESOL classes, tutoring and homework help, college preparation services, career development, job training and placement, supportive housing, sports and recreational activities, arts, and nutritious meals – all for free, completely confidentially, and under one roof.
The Trevor Project is the premier organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ teens and young adults. It is based in NYC.
Emma’s Place is a not-for-profit organization of care-giving professionals and volunteers committed to supporting grieving children and families year round.
The Brooklyn Community Pride Center provides services and support to the borough’s LGBTQ+ community through original programming and partnerships with other organizations. Serving people across the age spectrum, the Brooklyn Community Pride Center enables our community to actively participate in positive, life-affirming activities. They offer a distinctive choice for residents of New York City’s largest borough to celebrate, heal, learn, create, organize, relax, socialize, and play.
Collaborating with other public agencies and nonprofit partners, DHS works to prevent homelessness before it occurs, reduce street homelessness, and assist New Yorkers in transitioning from shelter into permanent housing. Furthermore, DHS remains committed to meeting its legal mandate to provide temporary emergency shelter to those experiencing homelessness in a safe and respectful environment.
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, (ANAD) is a non-profit organization working in the areas of support, awareness, advocacy, referral, education, and prevention. ANAD is the oldest organization aimed at fighting eating disorders in the United States. ANAD assists people struggling with eating disorders and also provides resources for families, schools and the eating disorder community.
The mission of girlshealth.gov, developed by the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is to promote healthy, positive behaviors in all girls. Girlshealth.gov gives girls reliable, useful information on the health issues they will face as they become young women, and tips on handling relationships with family and friends, at school and at home.
Goddard Riverside Community Center serves some 22,000 people each year through 27 programs on the Upper West Side and throughout Manhattan. They work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. Goddard Riverside provides after school programs, childcare resources, housing and mental health services.
Empowering LGBT people, building strong community.
New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center empowers people to lead healthy, successful lives. The Center celebrates diversity and advocates for justice and opportunity. They offer addiction and recovery services, HIV screening and education, advocacy and opportunities for artistic collaboration and expression.
The United Federation of Teachers’ BRAVE campaign provides educators, parents and students with the tools, knowledge and support to be pro-active in confronting and stopping bullying with an array of resources and tools.
Anonymous and confidential online resource for college students with information to help themselves or a friend; self-assessment tool and a direct link to New York State college counseling centers.
NAMI’s goal with OK2TALK is to provide a community for teens and young adults struggling with mental health problems where they can talk about what they are experiencing by sharing their stories of recovery, tragedy, struggle or hope as well as creative content like poetry, inspirational quotes, photos, videos, songs, messages of support, etc. in a safe, moderated space.
NYS Office of Mental Health’s suicide prevention center website provides an overview of suicide prevention information, local prevention and postvention programs and initiatives and upcoming training programs across New York.
Provides HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy services for youth, men and women (HIV+ and negative). Mental health, harm reduction and substance use programs include counseling, support groups, a helpline, testing, family support, syringe access, legal assistance, nutrition, job training, physical therapy. 212-367-1000
Evaluation, therapy and specialized treatments for children and adolescents with psychiatric and learning disorders (anxiety, mood, ADHD, autims, sexual identity, eating disorders, etc.); website provides tips on seeking professional help for children, how disorders present in youth, etc., A-Z disorder guide, mental health provider directory, medication guide, etc. 212-263-6622
Services include support for children and adults experiencing depression, family conflict, self-esteem, parenting and relationship issues, etc., includes outpatient clinics, psychiatric rehabilitation, family support. Many services are multilingual. 212-524-1789
Free civil legal services for low-income seniors, victims of domestic violence, immigrants, at-risk youth, people with a disability, chronic or serious illness; includes legal services tied to entitlements, foreclosure prevention, patients in medical settings, immigrant protection; training in health/social work staff; sites in all five boroughs. 212-613-5000
Online resource to help parents and students focus on emotional health before, during and after the college transition (especially for young people who are already dealing with some form of depression and/or need continuity of mental health services); provides information to identify, address and manage the treatment of emotional problems, stress, depression, etc.
Supports individuals and families affected by substance abuse. Prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery support services includes treatment for those with mental health issues, programs for mothers with children, outpatient and residential programs, after-school and day programs for teenagers, etc. 1-800-DRUG-HELP
The New York City Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services (HRA/DSS) is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance.
Social Work/Family Care Practitioners are available to help patients and their families in coping with the stresses that accompany illness and hospitalization. Additionally, the Family Care Center offers an area of respite for all visitors where a variety of complimentary services are offered to assist in maintaining wellness and decreasing stress.
Graham Windham operates family strengthening programs in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx and a Youth Scholars program in Brooklyn for youth who are at risk of failure in school and incarceration. For children and youth who are or have been in foster care, who need intensive support, they offer a wide array of highly targeted interventions under the auspices of our Bridges to Health program. At their Manhattan Mental Health Center, families struggling with mental health issues receive services that promote positive behaviors and healing. At their Beacon sites in Harlem and the Bronx, they operate school-based programs for thousands of children and adults, centered around promoting successful adulthoods. Their services include academic support and guidance, youth development activities, mentoring relationships and summer jobs.
NIDA’s mission is to advance science on the causes and consequences of drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health. They provide educational resources, statistics, research reports and facts on addiction.
Represent, a quarterly magazine founded in 1993*, provides a voice for youth in foster care. Their stories give inspiration and information to peers and offer staff a window into teens’ struggles.
Urban Word NYC serves aspiring young writers from across New York City’s five boroughs. It’s target population reflects the makeup of the public institutions from which they are largely drawn (40% African American, 20% Latino, 18% Asian/Pacific Islander, 15% White, 5% Middle Eastern and 2% Other), over 95% of which attend Title I schools (free or reduced lunch). In addition, UW also serves youth in homeless shelters or alternative incarceration facilities and hosts events for young people in a range of community centers, religious spaces and commercial venues across the city. They offer writing programs such as Creatively College Bound. Creatively College Bound is Urban Word’s signature college prep workshop series. It covers every step of the college admission process, with a focus on writing powerful and creative essays that can serve as personal statements and admission essays for scholarships and college applications. Other programs include Black Girl Magic Ball and NYC Youth Poet Laureate.
The CDC LGBT Health website provides information and resources on some of the health issues and inequities affecting LGBT communities. Links to other information sources and resources are also provided. Some of this information is designed for members of the general public. Other information has been developed for health care providers, public health professionals, and public health students.
Service provided by teenagers who have been specially trained to listen, help clarify concerns and explore options. Available 8:30pm-12:30am. After hours, calls are directed to Didi Hirsch Health Center, Los Angeles. Standard message and data rates may apply. Text 839863, type: TEEN.
Serves young people ages 13-25 in any type of crisis, providing them access to free, emotional support and information they need via a text medium. Teenagers can text in their problems to a hotline and receive text message support from counselors. Text 741-741 Type: LISTEN, 24/7
This federally funded center is a national library that collects and distributes suicide information and research initiatives, information on training programs, best practices, program evaluations and provides a search function on topics like: high risk populations, evidence -base programs, etc.
Free bereavement services for children and teenagers ages 4-18 and their primary caregivers including 10-week peer group for children, teens and caregivers; grief and bereavement consultation for professionals, schools and businesses.
Programs for homeless men, women and children including crisis intervention, housing, youth services and job training.
Multiple community programs including foster care, pregnancy prevention, family support, health and counseling, juvenile justice; clinics provide bilingual mental health services for children and families including counseling, group therapy, referrals, etc. 212-949-4800
Services for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals and their families/loved ones; counseling, transitional services, case management, child/youth support programs, etc.
Serves families and children with all special needs. Provides referrals and support to help parents and professionals access services to ensure children are provided the opportunity to develop their full potential; free and confidential.
Free services for children and youth up to age 24 include legal, medical and psychiatric services, help in obtaining identification, housing, hot meals, showers, clothing and the opportunity to socialize in a safe, non-judgmental and supportive setting.
Centers in the Lifeline network provide online emotional support, crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for those who are depressed, despairing, going through a hard time, or just need to talk. Questions regarding safety, feelings of depression, current social situation, etc. are asked. Guidelines on using service are provided, 7 days, 2pm-2am.
NYC Youth Peer Advocacy Report_Final 2019